Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1982: Chapter 1981: Ruthless Actions

”Wait!” Qi Zixuan spoke again, ”Let’s first ask Miss Ji and Ma Linglong what the box of rouge looks like, so we can compare.”

Han Zhiyong was speechless and could only respond with a grunt.

Ji An spoke first, ”It was packed in a delicate porcelain box with purple patterns on it. Third sister-in-law said it was premium rouge from Colorful Butterfly Studio, the color is bright red and indeed very beautiful.”

Ma Linglong also spoke, ”That’s right, I even spent twenty taels of silver to buy it, and seeing my young aunt learning makeup at school, I kindly gave it to her.”

Qi Zixuan nodded towards an officer, who then knowingly handed over the found rouge.

It was indeed a porcelain bottle with purple patterns. Ma Linglong was stunned and exclaimed, ”How is this possible?”

No one paid attention to her. Doctor Mu opened the rouge to examine it, then said, ”Yes, there’s poison here that causes red rashes on the face, but I know the products from Colorful Butterfly Studio are always fine. Besides, poison is more expensive than rouge, why would a merchant add poison to increase costs? This rouge balm looks loose, probably mixed with poison and then pressed flat again.”

”Impossible! That definitely isn’t the rouge I gave Ji An; it must be fake!” Ma Linglong became frantic, shouting out of turn.

The officer who brought the rouge hurriedly said, ”I found it on Miss Ji’s dressing table, with the Ji Family’s steward and madam present, witnessing clearly, without a single false word.”

”Impossible...” She specifically had the rouge taken away and completely disposed of, how is it possible for a box to reappear?

The box in front of her could not possibly be the one she gave to Ji An!

On that day, she had a maid steal it, but the maid was tempted by it and nearly used it herself, so she scolded the maid and buried the balm in a flowerpot, and had the maid bury the box in the backyard.

But she couldn’t say this; saying so would only raise more suspicion, wouldn’t it? Secretly taking back what she gave, isn’t that a guilty conscience?

If she didn’t speak, was she supposed to take the blame?

Bai Ruozhu watched Ma Linglong’s reaction, and secretly laughed in her heart. She knew that the box of rouge had disappeared, but she could make an identical one and have a dark guard quietly place it back on Ji An’s dressing table.

By looking at the condition on Ji An’s face, she knew what poison it was; even if there was a discrepancy, could Ma Linglong say: This poison is different from the one I used?

She was just trying to ensnare Ma Linglong, who liked to play with conspiracies, so she would use overt schemes.

”This is a frame-up! The rouge I gave to Ji An is premium from Colorful Butterfly Studio, without any falsehood. Why is Bai Ruozhu’s New Bride School blaming me for using inferior rouge?” Ma Linglong shouted.

Han Zhiyong increasingly felt that she couldn’t escape; all evidence pointed to her. He couldn’t simply refuse to punish her, could he?

But if she spoke about that matter...

Hatred flickered in Han Zhiyong’s eyes. In this situation, he could only try his best, if she dared to speak up, he would just beat her until she’s silent!

”Audacious woman! Now two witnesses have identified you, and there is material evidence; how do you explain? Why do you want to harm your young aunt and then blame the New Bride School?” Han Zhiyong slammed the Courtroom Wooden block and shouted sternly.

Ma Linglong instinctively shivered, excitedly saying, ”That rouge is fake, definitely fake, Lord Ma, you must stand up for this woman!”

Ji Min sighed, looked at Ma Linglong and asked, ”I don’t understand, Ji An is usually timid and doesn’t cause trouble; when did she offend you?”

Ji An looked at her father with some confusion in her eyes. She originally thought her father wouldn’t stand up for her; she was just an unloved concubine’s daughter, how could her father care about her life or death, but her father’s expression didn’t seem fake.

She cried more fiercely, luckily Bai Ruozhu comforted her, luckily she didn’t give up on herself, or she would really die at Ma Linglong’s hands.

”I said that box isn’t the rouge I gave; they colluded to harm me! Lord Ma, will you not stand up for this woman?” Ma Linglong looked at Han Zhiyong, her tone carrying a hint of a reminder.

Han Zhiyong’s expression turned colder, ”Ma Family, since you refuse to explain, you’ll be given twenty lashes, see if you still have a hard mouth!”

Saying so, Han Zhiyong threw down the command token, and the officer came to drag Ma Linglong away. Ma Linglong panicked and shouted, ”Han Zhiyong, don’t forget...”

”Audacious woman, how dare you directly call my official name, beat!” Han Zhiyong hurriedly signaled to his confidant, and the officer fiercely swept the club, causing Ma Linglong to scream and fall to the ground.

The lashes came down crackling, and unfortunately, Ma Linglong no longer had an official title, nor was she an unmarried Noble Lady, plus no one pleaded for her, so the lashes were merciless.

Ma Linglong had never suffered such hardship, she cried out in pain, with intense hatred in her heart, she hated Bai Ruozhu for harming her and Han Zhiyong for turning against her last minute, but fear slowly crept up her heart, she felt her legs hurt more and more numb.

It’s said that some people become paralyzed after being lashed, will she also become paralyzed in the future?

”Han Zhiyong, your son won’t live on...” Ma Linglong struggled to say half a sentence, eyes filled with panic and anger, only to be ruthlessly knocked unconscious by the officer.

There are many secrets in beating with the lash, some are even beaten to death directly. Bai Ruozhu saw the signal Han Zhiyong gave the officer secretly, but she didn’t intend to expose him, as long as Ma Linglong received her deserved punishment, that was enough.

”Linglong! Are you alright? Speak!” Ji Bao rushed over, the twenty lashes were also finished, he picked up the unconscious Ma Linglong, anxiously shouted.

Ji Min’s face was very grim, originally the most successful son, but now how did it turn out like this? With countless fine ladies in the world, why was he captivated by such a thing like her?

”Criminal Ma Linglong will be temporarily detained in jail, awaiting interrogation. New Bride School was framed, and is innocent, they may continue teaching immediately. This official will also issue a public announcement to prove your innocence.” Han Zhiyong appropriately sold Bai Ruozhu a favor.

”Lord Han is wise!” Bai Ruozhu said ceremoniously.

However, Han Zhiyong felt particularly bitter, those words sounded very sarcastic to him.

”Dismiss!”

Han Zhiyong cupped his hands toward Qi Zixuan, ”Lord Qi, I will take my leave now.”

Qi Zixuan cheerfully stood up, ”Alright, alright, I will return as well, Lord Han judged the case wisely, well done.”

Bai Ruozhu also bowed to the two of them, ”Thank you for your efforts, my lords.”

Qi Zixuan smiled as he left, it seemed he really came just for the spectacle.

”Doctor Mu, please help my little girl with her face, she’s going to be engaged this year, and now...” he couldn’t help sighing.

Doctor Mu stroked his beard, ”I am only skilled in common ailments, not proficient in detoxifying, you should seek assistance from Lord Bai, women can better manage such matters.”